Transit Initiatives Give Business A Boost

Do pedestrian plazas, bike lanes and rapid-transit bus systems actually benefit nearby businesses? They do, according to findings recently reported in the New York Times.

Using data from the Department of Finance, the NYC transportation department was able to review sales figures reported by small businesses who had been directly affected by city projects. The results were astonishing. Installations of bike lanes and small plazas increased retail sales 172% for neighboring businesses and commercial vacancies decreased 49%.

Studies also tied revamped bus service to a 71% increase in retail sales, citing increased ridership and faster-moving buses as drawing more patrons to the businesses.

Next year, San Bernardino businesses along the E Street Corridor may be enjoying some of these same benefits with the launch of the new sbX Bus Rapid Transit line. These 60-foot articulated vehicles will run every 15 minutes, stopping at one-mile intervals along the busy corridor. During peak travel times, sbX will have 10-minute headway.